The REAL Reasons Why CBS Cut The Bull: Behind Michael Weatherly's Controversial Exit

The CBS legal drama *Bull* officially ended its run with the Season 6 finale, "Goodbye," on May 26, 2022, concluding a six-year journey inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw. The decision to end the show was not a sudden network cancellation but rather a choice initiated by its lead star, Michael Weatherly, who portrayed the brilliant trial consultant Dr. Jason Bull. However, the full story behind the series' conclusion is far more complex, involving a star's desire for "new creative challenges" juxtaposed with a history of on-set controversy and declining ratings that ultimately made a Season 7 renewal untenable as of late 2025. The series, which premiered in 2016, was a solid performer for the network for many years, but it struggled to shake off the shadow of a major workplace scandal that erupted in 2018. The combination of a star's decision to leave and the baggage of past controversies—including a multi-million-dollar settlement—provided a definitive, albeit multi-layered, answer to the question of *why did Bull end*.

Michael Weatherly: A Brief Biography and Profile

The end of *Bull* also marked the end of an era for Michael Weatherly, who had been a fixture on CBS primetime for nearly two decades, first as Agent Tony DiNozzo on *NCIS* and then as Dr. Jason Bull.

• Full Name: Michael Manning Weatherly Jr.
• Born: July 8, 1968
• Birth Place: New York City, New York, United States
• Profession: Actor, Producer, Director, and Musician
• Notable Roles Before Bull: Special Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo on *NCIS* (2003–2016), Logan Cale on *Dark Angel* (2000–2002)
• Role in Bull: Dr. Jason Bull, the founder of the Trial Analysis Corporation (TAC), a jury consulting firm.
• Family: Married to Bojana Janković.

The Star's Decision: Pursuing New Creative Challenges

The most direct and official reason for the *Bull* series finale after Season 6 was the choice made by its leading man, Michael Weatherly. The actor announced his decision in a statement on Twitter in January 2022, well ahead of the final episodes airing in May. Weatherly's statement was clear: "Hello all! It’s been my privilege to play Dr. Jason Bull but after 6 Seasons of incredible storylines, I’ve decided it’s time to pursue new creative challenges and bring his story to a close." This framing positioned the end of the show as a creative choice by the star, rather than a cancellation by the network, CBS. For the network, the loss of its lead actor—whose character was the central axis of the entire show, the head of the Trial Analysis Corporation (TAC)—made the continuation of *Bull* Season 7 virtually impossible. The series was built entirely around the charisma and psychological insights of Dr. Jason Bull, a character inspired by the real-life Dr. Phil McGraw. The end of the show after six seasons also allowed for a planned and satisfying conclusion, a luxury many abruptly canceled series do not receive. The final episodes were written with the knowledge that the show was concluding, allowing the writers to wrap up the narrative arc of the Trial Analysis Corporation team.

The Lingering Shadow of Controversy: The Eliza Dushku Scandal

While Michael Weatherly's creative decision was the immediate catalyst for the *Bull* cancellation, the series had been on shaky ground for years due due to a major workplace scandal. This controversy served as a significant underlying factor and contributed to the show's "tumultuous ride." The scandal centered on actress Eliza Dushku, who was hired to play a major recurring role in the first season with the intention of becoming a series regular in Season 2. Dushku, known for her roles in *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* and *Dollhouse*, alleged that she was subjected to repeated sexual harassment by Michael Weatherly on set. The allegations included Weatherly making inappropriate comments, including a suggestion that he would take her to his "rape van," which he said was filled with phallic objects and lubricant. When Dushku confronted Weatherly about his behavior, her character, J.P. Nunnelly, was written off the show. Following her termination, Dushku filed a complaint against CBS. The network ultimately settled the case confidentially with Dushku for a staggering $9.5 million.

The Impact on the Show and Ratings

The public revelation of the $9.5 million settlement in late 2018 created a massive public relations crisis for the show and for the network.

• Reputational Damage: The scandal tarnished the reputation of the show and its star, leading to a loss of public trust and significant negative press coverage.
• Loss of Advertisers: Some major advertisers reportedly pulled their support from the show following the news.
• Ratings Decline: While *Bull* remained a relatively stable performer, its ratings saw a notable drop in the seasons following the controversy. This ratings decline, coupled with the high cost of production and the negative public perception, made the prospect of a *Bull* Season 7 less appealing to CBS.

Despite the controversy, CBS renewed *Bull* for three more seasons after the settlement, but the scandal remained a constant topic of discussion, making the show's eventual end almost inevitable once the star expressed a desire to move on.

The Final Chapter: How the Series Ended

The *Bull* series finale, titled "Goodbye," aired on May 26, 2022, and provided a definitive, if somber, conclusion for Dr. Jason Bull and the Trial Analysis Corporation (TAC) team. The two-part finale centered on a negligent homicide defense case. Dr. Bull and his team, including Marissa Morgan (Geneva Carr), Danny James (Jaime Lee Kirchner), and Chunk Palmer (Christopher Jackson), took on the case of a client, Ed Wilson, who was accused of being responsible for a building fire. In a major twist that challenged the entire premise of the series, Bull realized that his client was, in fact, guilty. Faced with the moral dilemma of helping a guilty man walk free, Dr. Bull chose to subvert the case, ensuring that justice was served over winning for his client. The final moments of the series saw Dr. Jason Bull make a life-altering decision: he resigned from his career in trial science and shut down TAC. The finale left the former TAC team members—including Benny Colón (Freddy Rodriguez, who had previously exited the show but was a major entity), Taylor Renzel (MacKenzie Meehan), and the others—to pursue their own futures. This ending provided a powerful narrative justification for the show's conclusion, allowing the central character to walk away from the career that had defined him for six seasons, thus neatly wrapping up the show's run without the need for a *Bull* Season 7.

Key Entities and Cast Members of Bull

The show's longevity was also due to its ensemble cast and the dynamic of the Trial Analysis Corporation, which included:

• Dr. Jason Bull: Michael Weatherly (The founder of TAC)
• Marissa Morgan: Geneva Carr (Psychologist, second-in-command)
• Danny James: Jaime Lee Kirchner (Investigator, former NYPD detective)
• Chunk Palmer: Christopher Jackson (Stylist, former NFL player, later a lawyer)
• Benny Colón: Freddy Rodriguez (In-house counsel, left after Season 5)
• Taylor Renzel: MacKenzie Meehan (Cyber investigator, joined in Season 3)
• Cable McCrory: Annabelle Attanasio (Original hacker/cyber investigator, left after Season 2)
• J.P. Nunnelly: Eliza Dushku (High-powered lawyer, guest role)
• The Network: CBS
• Creator: Paul Attanasio
• Inspiration: Dr. Phil McGraw
• Controversy: Sexual Harassment Allegations
• Final Episode: "Goodbye"
• Final Season: Season 6
• Location: New York City
• Disbanded Firm: Trial Analysis Corporation (TAC)
• Previous Role: Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly's *NCIS* character)
• Settlement Amount: $9.5 Million